After a year and a half hiatus, the Viper will be hitting the streets again in 2013. But this time around, it won't be called a Dodge. After almost two decades under the same nameplate the latest snake will shed its original skin and adorn SRT badges instead. SRT is short for "Street and Racing Technology," and it has been the high-performance arm of the Chrysler group of vehicles since the early 90s. Even when it was called a Dodge, the Viper sported an "SRT" label as well.“The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer of SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City.”Not only is the Viper returning to the streets, but Chrysler will resurrect the Conner Avenue facility in Detroit to build the next-generation sports car. It's the same factory that has built Vipers since 1995, and the decision is believed to open up 150 jobs for both salaried and hourly workers, good news for a city that’s been struggling with unemployment as high as 19.2 percent in October of this year. Employees who previously worked at the Conner Avenue facility were given the first opportunity to return and the remaining positions are to be filled by hourly workers volunteering to transfer. Production of the Viper is set to start up again in late 2012 but employees have already begun sitting through orientations and training this past fall.Do you think the Viper should've stayed under Dodge or is the move to SRT a good thing? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.Sources: SRT, Detroit Free Press

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